Pop Evil bassist Matt DiRito can be found feverishly whipping his lengthy black locks on any given stage in any given city.
He calls me from the road while on their Canadian headlining tour. He’s just as friendly, laidback and genuine as I recall.
Pop Evil are making a name for themselves on rock radio and have been tearing up the charts with four consecutive No. 1 US Rock Radio Singles, the No. 2 Canadian Independent debut and Top 40 Billboard 200 debut with their latest record, UP.
With more than 10 million views on YouTube, 460,000 fans on Facebook and almost 50,000 on Twitter, the Michigan rock band have momentum on their side.
This constant success is the result of their strong commitment to relentless touring and reputation for high-octane live shows, winning fans over one gig at a time.
Ways to Get High and Footsteps are recent hit singles that have strengthened the already solid sonic arsenal.
While I may have failed at trying to convince DiRito to trim his hair, I succeeded at asking a few questions.
Pop Evil’s tour hits Crocks with Red Sun Rising and Smashing Satellites on Tuesday, April 5 for what is sure to be the hottest triple bill of the year.
Angie Valente: Welcome back! How’s your trek across Canada been?
Matt DiRito: It’s been funny adjusting to these Canadian tour dates. Our phones don’t work, it’s crazy. We’re on a constant hunt for Wi-Fi so we can reach out to people. We’re starting to tour Canadian enough to need a new phone plan.
AV: How is this tour with Smashing Satellites and Red Sun Rising going?
MD: It’s been really great. You know, we typically don’t expect massive turn outs when we tour Canada because we don’t do it often enough. But this entre tour has been B and C markets and we’ve been shocked with a hand full of sold out shows.
There’s only been one or two shows that were lightly attended but the crowds were going nuts. It’s Pop Evil mania over here! Red Sun Rising are good buddies of ours from Ohio. We’ve toured with them quite a bit. They’re one of the best live acts out there right now. It’s their first time out in Canada for sure. We still have to break them in, I don’t think they’ve been exposed to poutine yet.
AV: You played Thunder Bay back in December. Does anything about the city stand out for you?
MD: I really enjoyed walking around the city in the day and checking out some of the architecture. One of our crew guys was really blown away by some of the buildings in that downtown area. We walked around and talked about the structures and history. I thought that was cool. It’s going to be awesome to come back.
AV: You have quite the following in the U.S.A. What’s been the best part about touring Canada?
MD: I might have already nailed it with poutine! Canadian fans are pretty awesome. The cities are spread far apart but people appreciate what you do to make the trek up to Canada and come to their city. People make a point to come out and have a good time. This tour has been consistently later shows for us, even on a weeknight. Fans have stayed late and really supported it. The best thing in Canada, fans support us so much and make an effort to come out.
AV: Your hair is crazy long and contributes to your stage presence. Are you a fan of the man-bun?
MD: I don’t plan on giving up the man bun. It’s not a phase, I’ve been putting it up like that for 15 years. I’m glad that all the hipsters caught onto it (laughs.) Braids are in right now. I do both. Red Sun Rising do a lot of braids in their hair too.
AV: Pop Evil are rocking the charts and dominating radio. Do you pay attention to stats?
MD: It’s part of our livelihood. In the States we’ve got 4 number 1 singles and we’ve been doing better and better with Canadian radio. Cancon helps out too. And even though Pandora and Spotify exist, people still listen to the radio. It’s still the easiest and best way for people to listen to you and find out who you are. The better we do on radio, the better chance we have to do well here in Canada when we tour.
Pop Evil play Crocks on Tuesday, April 5 with Red Sun Rising and Smashing Satellites.
